Benzema cites Cristiano Ronaldo as his inspiration for Balon d’or

As the Balon d’Or is almost knocking upon us, the debates are flying hot with who will be bagging the laurel this time as Messi aces the race to the top. However, not far behind are the other primary contenders, who have managed to post a rippling display throughout the season that encompasses the names of Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.

However, Real Madrid has found a face in Karim Benzema, going in hot for the title race to the most prestigious individual award for a footballer. The entire outfit and their management have been backing his cause to lay a claim upon the hallowed silverware. The French marksman has been quoted saying that seeing Ronaldo pick up the laurel several times, he has also believed in the fact that he can do it too.

This is what Benzema had to cite about Ronaldo

Benzema has definitely been one of the finest footballers in 2021, toting Los Merengues almost single-handedly on occasions, and a consistent scorer in the otherwise marred firing squad of Madrid. Though he isn’t close to what the others have pulled off, but ruling him out of the contest is blatantly naive.

Benzema was heard citing to ESPN, “It has always been a goal, I have always had it in my mind, when Cristiano Ronaldo won it, I thought I could win it too.”

He continued by saying, “I can say that I have never been so close to winning it thanks to my performances, because of what I’ve done here in the last three or four years. I’m not that far away.”

As the El Clasico looms ahead, for the first time in the last 12 years will the hallowed contest be going forward without the likes of Ronaldo and Messi and yet Benzema believes that the game won’t lose any of its glitz and glam.

This is what the French striker feels about El Clasico

He labelled the game as the best in the world and the arrival or departure of any player won’t really matter because the iconic stature that this game has built over the years is significantly overwhelming.

He concluded by saying, “Before Cristiano and Messi there was [Zinedine] Zidane and Ronaldinho. Players change, but Real Madrid vs Barcelona will always be Real Madrid vs Barcelona, no matter who participates.”

Benzema has always been tagged as a late bloomer, but the gentry of football that the French striker has whipped out in the last couple of seasons has been hauntingly beautiful.